Safe House

Synopsis:

It is 1950s Australia.

Professor Vladimir Tolstoy has defected from the Soviet Union to Melbourne, risking everything dear to him in his life on a single hope:  Freedom.

30 years on, with the collapse of the Soviet empire, he is once more trapped, this time within his own head.

Character Breakdown:

Five-hander:  2 females, 3 males:

VLADIMIR TOLSTOY 45 and upward/ 75
MARX/MARTIN – one actor.
MATRON
NICKI / MISS WEISENTHAL – one actor.
MR JOLLY / PUBLICAN / PUBLISHER / AGENT / HEADMASTER – one actor.

Production History:

World Premiere: 1989.  Playbox Theatre Company. Anthill Theatre.

Publication  1989.  Currency Press.

Reviews:

“.. flecked with ruefully ironic flourishes.. tinder dry humour and dialogue that is shapely and sharp..”
Rosemary Neill, The Australian

“.. the play has many layers, including thought-provoking attitudes to freedom, loyalty, need, exploitation and bias.  There is also humour – whatever the colour..”
The Australian Jewish News

“.. delivers some very clever broadsides.. with a perspicacity and sureness of an astute playwright.. an excellent night at the theatre.. an definite must-see.”
Johnathan Higgs, Beat

“.. well-larded with wit and I laughed often..”
Alison Croggon, The Bulletin

“.. the writing is assured, the thematic range impressive..”
Leonard Radic, The Age

“.. a powerful night to remember.”
John Larkin, Sunday Press

“.. an intricate, elaborately constructed work.. a clever play, full of technical complexity, witty dialogue, symbolism and pointed irony..”
The Australian Jewish News

“.. a thoughtful and thought-provoking play.. a confronting and disturbing work..”
Graham Sharp, The Advocate

Running-time: 100 minutes.

This play exists only in hard copy:  086819 247 3.  However, this is a pre-production draft, and the final draft can only be obtained by application to the author.